UK struck by trio of earthquakes in 16 hours as seismic exercise ramps up
Experts believe the recent surge in seismic activity in the area could be linked to the Highland Boundary Fault, which was active nearly 400 million years ago.
The UK has been hit by multiple earthquakes over a short period as seismic activity across the country appears to be increasing. Over the weekend, two small quakes were recorded.
On Sunday, a 1.3 magnitude tremor struck Herefordshire at around 3:15pm, followed by a 1.0 magnitude quake in Cornwall at around 9:30pm. These were preceded by a 0.4 magnitude earthquake in Pubil, Perth and Kinross, likely linked to ongoing seismic activity in the region. On Monday, a further 1.0 magnitude earthquake occurred near Newport at around 5:20pm.
This comes after the UK was struck by a magnitude three earthquake as the country has experienced a series of tremors over the past week. Saturday’s quake occurred at 10:41am in the Stirling area. The British Geological Survey (BGS) said the communities most likely to have noticed anything unusual were Killin and Callander.
This follows a noticeable rise in seismic activity across the wider Highland Perthshire region in recent months. According to the BGS, 26 tremors were recorded at Glen Lyon, near Pubil, in October alone.
On October 30, a 3.3 magnitude quake shook Killin, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Kenmore and Rannoch, followed later the same day by a 3.7 magnitude quake. Locals in Killin said these were the strongest quakes they had felt in years.
Experts believe the recent activity may be linked to the Highland Boundary Fault, which was active nearly 400 million years ago.
In a statement, the British Geological Survey said: “Magnitude and other quake parameters can still change in the coming hours as the agency continues to process seismic data.”
Although the UK typically experiences many small earthquakes each year, usually around 200 to 300 in total, most fall between 1 and 2 on the Richter scale. The strength of the latest Stirling quake is therefore considered unusual for the region.
The past ten days have brought additional tremors. Last Saturday, another earthquake was recorded at Glen Lyon, with vibrations reported in Killin and Tyndrum.
A number of residents say they were awoken around 4:30am, with some comparing it to thunder or a heavy lorry passing nearby. This measured 2.5 in magnitude.
In May, the Daily Star explored why the UK appears to be turning into an earthquake hotspot. Roger Musson, a former Head of Seismic Hazard and Archives at the British Geological Society, explained that the trend is largely linked to how the strongest recorded quakes are measured and interpreted.
He said: “There is a simple rule of thumb – for every decrease of one unit of magnitude, one expects a tenfold increase of number. So if the tectonic situation of the UK results in one 3.5 magnitude earthquake on average every year, then typically one should get ten of 2.5, 100 of 1.5 and so on.”
“Most of these will be too weak or too remote to be noticed by people, but can be detected by instruments.”
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